A new report by the human rights group FairSquare has revealed that migrant workers in the supply chain of Saudi Aramco, one of the world's most profitable companies, face serious safety and health risks. The report documents 23 cases of alleged labour rights abuses, including a Nepali worker whose legs were crushed while working on an Aramco project.
Worker's Ordeal
Shrawan Shah Rauniyar, a migrant worker from Nepal, suffered severe injuries when a metal beam fell on his legs during work on a project managed by Italian firm Saipem, a contractor for Aramco. Despite expectations of compensation, Rauniyar claims he was threatened by his labour supply company and forcibly sent back to Nepal without any payout. Saipem confirmed he received medical assistance but denied responsibility for compensation.
Rauniyar now lives in a small rented room in Nepal, unable to work due to his injuries. He relies on his wife's teaching salary and income from tutoring local children. Doctors say he may need further surgery, but he cannot afford it.
Systemic Issues
FairSquare's report highlights that migrant workers in Aramco's supply chain endure extreme heat, shifts up to 19 hours, and substandard housing. Compensation for injuries or deaths is rarely paid. In one case, Manjay Kumar Sah, a scaffolder, collapsed and died at an Aramco project site; his family received no compensation from Saudi Arabia, only from Nepali insurance schemes.
Under Saudi law, injured workers or families of deceased workers should receive compensation, but FairSquare found it was paid in only one of six cases. The report notes that Aramco, as a majority state-owned company, has responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to prevent abuses throughout its operations.
Aramco's Response
Aramco stated that safety and wellbeing are core values and that it has introduced a programme to support contractor workforce wellbeing. Saipem said it takes health and safety seriously and strives to act responsibly regarding workers employed by contractors and subcontractors.
FairSquare's director, Nick McGeehan, criticised Aramco for neglecting migrant worker protection, despite its vast wealth and influence. The findings align with earlier reports from Human Rights Watch and the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, which documented abuses in Aramco's labour supply chain.
